Changeable window display-sign



P. KLIIVIOWICZ.

CHANGEABLE WINDOW DISPLAY SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.1a. |911.

I l 305, l 21 Patented May 27, 1919.

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CHANGEABLE WINDOW DISPLAY SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED Aue. I3, IQII.

l ,805 ,1 21 Patented May 27', 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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P'. KLIMOWICZ.

CHANGEABLE WINDOW DISPLAY SIGN. AIPLICATION, FILED AUG. I3, 1917.

Patented May 27, 1919.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 3. @WD

P. KLIIVIOWICZ.

CHANGEABLE WINDOW DISPLAY SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED Aufms, |917.

1,305, l 21 Patented; May 27, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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PAUL KLIMOWIOZ, OF STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN.

CHANGEABLE WINDOW DISPLAY-SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1919.

Application filed August 13, 1917. Serial No. 186,028.

To all whom it may concer/a:

Be it known that I, PAUL KLIMowIcZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stevens Point, in the county of Portage and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Changeable Vindow Display-Signs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to display signs sometimes known as loose-letter signs, the letters being interchangeable so that the matter displayed may be varied acl lz'bz'tum.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a frame composed of interfitting sections which may be united to form frames of different sizes. Another object is to provide letters or other characters and spacers which are reversible so that the characters upon either face may be employed or some of one face may be used with some of the other face. The letters upon opposite faces may have diiferent colors and the signs may be formed with a single color or with another color interspersed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of an eXtensible frame with interchangeable letters embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a supplemental tongue and groove member adapted to connect the frame and the letters along the top and at one side; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the letters; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the frame sections; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of two of the sections united; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of thc corner pieces; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the same showing the manner of sliding the tenon; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views taken respectively on the lines 9-9, 10-10, and 11-11 of Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is an illustrative view, partly in section, showing the manner of connecting two letters when opposite faces are presented; Figs. 18 and 14 are side clevation and perspective views of a filler member; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a tongue member which is necessary to connect letters under certain circumstances; Figs. 16 and 17 are perspective views of a letter taken from opposite sides; Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the blank form used in constructing a letter; Fig. 19 is a plan view of the blank form of the intermediate part of the letter block; Figs. 20, 20a

and 20b are plan views of blanks for forming a semicolon; and Fig. 21 is a perspectiveview of the iller piece shown in section in Fig. 2.

I construct the frame of corner and intermediate sections which intert so that the dimensions of the frame may be varied as desired. Each of the intermediate sections, as shownin Fig. 5, is provided with side panels 5 which may be ornamented in suitable designs, the opposite faces being executed in different colors if desired, or in different designs to correspond with the colors of the opposite faces of the letter blocks. The opposite ends are provided with a tenon G and a mortise 7 which interfit when the sections are unit'l. The inner side of each frame section is provided with a groove 10 to receivev the tongues of the letters. In order to hold the sections securely together I attach a iieXible strip of suitable` material 12 such as strong fiberpaper, to the outer side at one end, which projects and carries a sharp metallic point 14 which may be pushed-into the adjacent section, the latter being preferably provided with a recess 15, to receive the end 12, so that the strip may be substantially flush with the edge of the section.

The corner sections are constructed in the manner illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive. After the sections forming three sides of the frame have been connected together it would not be possible to insert the last corner section if the tenon were rigid with the block section. I, therefore, construct the corner section with a separate tenon 6a which is attached to a separate end piece 16, the tenon sliding through a recess extending from end to end through the section. The fieXible strip 12 is made longer than the corner block and slides through staples 17 which hold it in position, one end being securedv to the end-piece 16 and the other end projecting and carrying the metallic pointk 14.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be evident that the frame sections may be fitted together by means of their tenons and mortises beginning with the section marked 1 at the upper left hand side and continuing entirely around the frame to the last intermediate section marked 1X at the left end of the upper side. As previously stated, itv would not be possible to insert the closing corner block 1z if the tenon were rigj `its normal position against the corner section block, thereby pushing the tenon 6a -into .the-mortise inthe upper end of the .first intermediate section 1. By theny pushing the metallic point 14 of the corner into the first intermediate section, the frame r sections will be rigidly secured together so that the frame may be handled as an integral rigid structure. The dimensions of the frame may be changed at any time by withdrawing the metallicpoints or contacts 14 to thereby permit the sections to be separated for the Withdrawal or insertion of sections as may be desired.

The letter blocks or characters are constructed in a manner permitting them to be fitted into the sign so that the joints between the letters Will not be observed, the completed Vsign having the appearance of being painted upon an integral or solid background. 'For this purpose I construct them in the form shown in Figs. 16 and 17 showing opposite faces of the same character. The letters upon opposite faces may be eXecuted in different, colors as I have indicated by the longitudinal and transverse shading or cross-hatching. Thus the letter in Fig.l

16 may be red While that on the opposite face shown in Fig. 17 may be blue.

In order that the letters may be fitted together in making up a sign with either face uppermost or With some having one face uppermost interspersed with others having the opposite face uppermost I construct the let- I ter blocks in the manner shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 3 and in transverse section in Fig. 4.

v Each letter may be formed of eight pieces of material. The pieces 20, 20 21, 21 and 23 are rectangular, 20 and 20 being preferably of cloth-board, While the pieces 21, 21 and 28 may be of straw-board. The piece 24 Which is folded around the central piece 23, `may be made of heavy paper of cheap grade. The piece 25 may also be madeof a cheap grade of paper half the thickness of 24 and is cut in blank form shovvn in Fig. 19, and then folded about the pieces 21, 21 and 23 inthe manner shown in Figs. 3 Vand 4. Thepieces` 2O and 20 are then pasted in the position indicated, aftervvhich the outer l covering piece 26, cut in blank form shown in Fig. 18, is folded over the -previously formed'block as indicated, `vvith the` edges projecting at one side 262L and at the top end 26h. It is to be understood that the pieces are glued together and When completed form the letter blocks shown in Figs. 16 and 17. For convenience in selecting the letters when the blocks are packed in boXes and file cases, a small letter corresponding to the character on the faces of the block may be placed on the blank in the positions indicated so that they will appearl upon the edges of the tongues on one side and end as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17.` It Will be observed that the letters constructed in the manner described provide a central tongue along one side and Y end and a Central groove along the other side and end.

In placing the letters in the frame, it vvill be evident that the tWo projecting tongues upon either side of the central groove at the bottom of the letter will fit into the groove in the inner side of the sections of the frame and that the corresponding projecting tongues upon one side of thel letters will lit `into the groove upon one side ofthe frame. If the letters are used with the face shown in Fig. 16 uppermost, then the right hand side of the letters Will fit into the groove at the right of the frame; but if the opposite face of the letter is uppermost as illustrated in Fig. 17 then the double tongues on the left side of the letter block Will fit into the groove at the left of the frame. It is necessary to use a filler strip at one side of the frame and at the top of the frame. This filler strip may be in the Y form shown in Fig. 21 and constructed of built up strips pasted together in the manner illustrated in cross-section in Fig. 2. The filler strip 80 connects the letter on the central tongue side andthe frame by fitting over the tongue of thc letter and into the groove of the frame in the manner clearly illustrated in the dotted line construction of Fig. 2. l When the letters having the same face-s uppermost and therefore of the same color are lfitted together in making up the sign, the central tongue on one side Will fit into the groove in the side of the adjacent meeting letter, these parts fitting` very accurately which is important in order that the sign may hold together When set up. The overhanging portions of the Vpieces 20, 20 slide over the depressed portions 26c at the margins of the letters to the overhanging edges 26a fitting neatly against theslanting shoulder portions 26e so that the top surface 26 of one letter is continuous With that of the adjoining letter. In order to render the juncture lines between the letters still less noticeable and practically invisible I prof vide the background of the letters With a graining Which simulates the graining of Wood by providing a series of closely drawn vertical and-horizontal lines Which Ihmake part of Fig.

more dense at the top, bottom and center of the letters, as illustrated at the left hand 18. This increased density of lines is not half as long at the ends as at the center. In this manner the denser shadings at the ends of the two letters which abut end to end, unite to form a shaded area equal tothat at the center of the letter. The vertical shade lines of this graining mask and make invisible the junctures at the meeting vertical lines between letters while the horizontal lines mask the horizontal junctures of the letters. Tn this manner I am enabled to completely letters so that the completed sign appears t0 be integral or as if painted upon a solid unbroken background.

1t will be observed that each letter block is provided with a notch or eut-away portion 32 at diagonally opposite top and bottom corners. This is for the purpose of permitting the overhanging edges at the tops of one line of letters to overlap the depressions at the bottoms of the letters in the next line above, without interfering with each other. lVhen the letters having the same corresponding faces uppermost are fitted together in the manner'above described, the tongues at the top edge of one line of letters will fit into the grooves in the bottom edge of the letters in the line next above, with the overhanging portions 20, 20 sliding over the depressed portions 26C and the overhanging edges 2Gb, of the top sheet abutting the slanting shoulders 26e of the adjacent letters. There will be no overlapping of the overhanging parts ai; the corners because of the notches or cut-away portions 82 as will be evident.

TWhen it is desired to use letters with opposite faces adjacent each other, as for instance where it is desired to introduce a blue letter in a line of red letters, the grooves of adjacent letters will face each other on one side and the tongues of adjacent letters will face each other upon the other side.

Thus if the letter shown in Fig.l 16 having' the red letter uppermost is to be joined to the blue letter shown in Fig. 17, the two grooved edges will come together so that they will not interiit. It is necessary, therefore, to connect the letters in the manner illustrated in Fig. 12 by inserting an auxiliary tongue member 34 into the abutting grooves of the two letters to form a connecting link. It is also necessary to iill in the depressed portions 26C which come together and for this purpose I provide a iilling member 35 shown in Fig. 14 which is provided with a depending lug 36 adapted to fit down into the adjacent notches 32 at the top edges of the letters, this member being` formed with an under backing piece 37 adapted to fill in the depressed portions 26 and the overhanging edges of the top piece 35 abutting the inhide the lines between adjacentclined shoulders 26@ so that the top surface 35 is flush with the top surfaces 26 of the adj acent letters. The upper piece 35 is also provided with a depressed portion 35a adapted to conform to the depressed portions at the bottom ends of the letters. The upper surface of the filler member 35 should be provided with the shading or graining to conform to the background of the letters in order to completely hide the juncture with the letters in the -manner previously described.

Character blocks of different widths may be constructed in the manner previously described. Thus in Figs. 20, 2O1 and 20b T have shown the form of the blanks corresponding to the pieces26, 24 and 25 respectively of Figs. 3 and 4 and proportioned in a manner suitable for the construction of a semi-colon, the parts being merely made narrower than for the letters.

Tt is sometimes desirable to form an inner border within the body of the sign for the purpose of ornamentation to surround a central part of the contents of the sign. For this purpose T construct bar members inthe same manner as the letters are formed by cutting blanks similar to those illustrated in Figs. 20, 20 and 20h to be used as vertical ornamental strips and T also construct those to be used horizontally in the same manner except that the longer dimensions extend horizontally and the vertical height is contracted correspondingly, the resulting hori- Zontal bar being illustrated at 40 in Fig. 1 and the vertical bars being illustrated at 41. These are fitted together in the same manner as previously described in connection with the letters. Y

1t is sometimes desirable to set up signs of smaller dimensions for which the frame sections would seem too heavy or massive. In such cases T employ the ornamental bars 40, 41 to form thc frame and supply it on two sides with the supplemental tongue and groove members 30 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 21, these members being provided Vwith an outer shallow groove 33 which serves to retain a cord or wire which may be tied around the frame to combine the parts securely together.

The advantages possessed by the various novel features of my changeable window display sign will be especially appreciated by those who have had experience in designing and executing display signs to suit varying conditions. The interchangeable frame members permit the frame to be extended to any desired dimensions or to be correspondingly contracted with facility and without requiring any cutting er fitting or the use of any tools. VThe double-faced reversible letters which may be made in different colors enable one to readily interchange and vary the color scheme of any portion of the sign to make it more attractive or for the purpose of emphasizing any feature in the sign. Intertting tongue and groove connections render the sign structurally quite rigid, enabling it to be handled without difficulty. My method ofl practically obliterating the lines of juncture between the letters, thereby giving the effect of a solid or integral background, so that the letters appear to. be formed or painted upon a solid backing overcomes the usual piece-meal appearance of signs which are made up of separate lettervblocks and presents an exceedingly attractive appearance.

I have described in detail the particular construction illustrated in the accompanying` drawings for the'purpose of disclosing an embodiment of my invention but it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of my claims and without in any manner departing from my invention.

I claim l. A changeable window display sign, comprising a frame having sides consisting of a plurality of interchangeable sections, each having means for engaging with adj acent sections and locking means for preventing disengagement. A

2. A changeable window display sign, comprising a frame having sides consisting of a plurality of interchangeable sections, each having a tenon at one end and a mortise recess at the other end, and a securing device adapted to prevent disengagement with the adjacent section.

3. A changeable window display sign, comprising interchangeable frame sections each having a tenon at one end, and a corner section having a movable tenon member.

t. A changeable window display sign,

comprising interchangeable frame sections adapted to beconnected to form a `frame of any desired dimensions, and provided with a groove upon the inner side, rectangular character blocks having a tongue upon one side and an end and a groove upon the other side and end, the tongue of one block being adapted to engage the recess in any other block, one end and side being adapted tov engage the grooves in the frame sections, and auxiliary grooved members adapted to engage the tongues of the blocks and the grooves in the frame to connect the'other side and end ofthe blocks therewith.

5. In a changeable display sign, interchangeable reversible character blocks, each having a tongue along one side'and one end and a groove along the other side and end, the face of the block having a marginal depression along the grooved edges, and an overhanging flexible margin along the edges having a tongue, the flexible margin upon one block being adapted tol abut the inner edges of the depressedV margins of the adj acent block tothereby form an unbroken surface in the plane of the characters. e v

6. In a changeable display sign, inter-` changeable reversible character blocks, each having a tongue along one side and one end anda groove valong the other side and end, the face of the block having a marginalY depression along the grooved edges, and an overhanging flexible margin along the edges having` a tongue, the flexible margin upon one block being adapted to abut the inner edges of the depressed margins of the adjacent block when the tongue kof one block engages the groove of an adjacent blockhav-v ing the same face, and a filler member adapted to bridge the depressions in adjacent blocks when adjacent blocks having opposite faces abut with their grooved sides juxtaposed.

7. In a changeable display sign, interchangeable reversible character blocks, each formed of a plurality of superposed layers of ibrous material, said layers being arranged to provide a central tongue along one side and end, and a central groove along the other side and end, and an outer envelop or sheath covering the opposite faces and the grooved edges of Vthe block.

S. In a changeable display sign, interchangeable character blocks having interfitting edges, and means for masking or ren-1 dering inconspicuous the juncture' between adjacent blocks consisting in providing a network of intersecting lines upon the faces of the blocks at the ends and intermediate 100 thereof, said lines being substantially parallel to the edges of the block.

9. In a changeable display sign, inter-A changeable character blocks, and means for masking or rendering inconspicuous the juncture between adjacent blocks consisting in providing a network of intersecting lines upon the faces of the blocks at certain portions thereof, said lines extending adjacent to the edges of the block. f

10. In a changeable display sign, interchangeable character blocks, and means upon the face of each blockfor rendering the edges of adjacent blocks less conspicuous.

Iii-testimony whereof I afiiX my signature 115 in thev presence of two witnesses.

PAUL KLIMOVICZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing' the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

